We earned 1 point with a 2-2 tie versus Celtic today.
Your Captain was a little bummed, cause we could have won that game on any one of about 10 plays. But we did give a good effort, and the strangest thing happened: all other games in the division (one was not played) resulted in ties as well. So, for now, we keep our 3rd position (actually 4th if we compare to Tsunami cause we lost head-to-head). Tsunami's tie today versus Far Post is key. We still have a chance to pick up a game on them next week.
We played the entire game in the rain - sometimes a hard rain. But that GWU turf field is awesome. It didn't have any impact on our footing, for the most part. The ball skidded a little faster, putting the Goleros at a disadvantage with all of the long balls that we are accustomed to playing.
In the first half, we went down in about the 15' when Your Captain got called for a hand ball in the box. Because his arms were not locked behind him, the movement of the arm to block a shot probably resulted in the call. Can't say it was terribly unfair, you have to avoid that kind of contact when you are the last man. However, by the end of the half, Adrian had put two goals in the net on some good footwork but even better passing through the midfield and down the wings. We played our best soccer of the past couple weeks in those closing first-half minutes.
In the second half, we made too many changes too often. We gave up a 1-on-1 goal, which has been a real problem for us as of late. 1-on-1's are a failure by the whole team and usually not just the final defenders and GK who get beat and have to deal with the stigma. It's something systematic that we need to correct. Additionally, we didn't finish a lot of chances. In the final minute, we suffered a bad offsides call on an excellent chance to score.
No biggie, no need to dwell on the negative. It was a good game and we did get 1 point out of it. Our women (all of them) played great, showing versatility in several roles. Jen and Anna played through some ankle/achilles issues, so you guys are awesome. Liz, you played well in your second alternate appearance this season, great job. Tom and George, way to play tough in that collision. George you had some fantastic saves as usual.
Next week, let's close on a win, a 4-2-2 record, and hopefully a 2nd or 3rd place finish.
Notes: 2-2 tie on June 3, 2007 versus Celtic at GWU Mount Vernon Campus. Goals by Adrian (Jer), Adrian (?). PK yielded.
with so many games canceled I wouldn't be surprised if the playoffs were put off by one week for make up games. Keep an eye out for it.
ReplyDeleteAlso, good write up Pete. I think we played good. We needed a little bit more luck on our side. The referees simply didn't have their eyes open yesterday and that usually helps the less skilled team. I pulled their forward offsides one time and the ref never noticed the flag until I told him, which was after George had already dove for and collected the ball. Plus Jer almost floated the ball in the side netting far post close to the end....needed more luck on the shot...(or a strong far post run by somebody ;)
Celtic were such good sports that the game would have been much better without sideline refs and just having us rely on the honor system. They all acknowledged Jer was not offsides at the end among other things throughout the game.
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Agreed Nathan,
ReplyDeleteKudos for Celtic for being good sports. I was mad after the game, but lazy reffing tends to bring that out in me. I'm over it now, just happy to have had the chance to play a great game on that beautiful field, regardless of the weather or the outcome.
Great team effort by everybody who made it out.